Summertime is the most common time of year for kids and adults alike to experience otitis externa (commonly known as swimmer’s ear). This outer ear infection is often caused by water trapped in the ear during swimming or even showering or bathing. The moist conditions created by the trapped water make the ear canal a great place for bacteria to thrive, but swimming isn’t the only cause. While Q-tips are a temptingly easy way to clean out earwax, sticking anything inside the ear canal can scratch the sensitive membrane inside, giving bacteria an entry into the body.

Earlier this year, one of my childhood friends suggested that we take a couple’s trip to Mexico, no kids. It was one of those conversations which sounds like a dream, one that you have with your friends and say, “yeah that would be amazing,” but could we really pull it off? The other question that came up for all of us, was could we leave our kids for a week? It turns out this dream conversation turned into reality this July and my husband and I feel it is one of the best vacations we have taken. There are many reasons why it was great for us to take a no kid vacation and many reasons why it was great for my kids to have their parents take a no kid vacation.